John R. Owen
Partner | Richmond »
John R. Owen
Partner | Richmond »
John Owen was born in East Liverpool, Ohio in 1970. He joined Harman Claytor in June of 2000. Prior to entering the practice of law, John served as vice-president of a Ford-Mercury dealership in northeastern Ohio. This background gives John a unique perspective that allows him to understand the diverse issues his clients face when involved in complex litigation. He values his relationships with his clients and ensures that he, and his team, are always available as matters don’t always arise at the most convenient of times. It’s the focus on the “Team” approach (client, consultants, attorneys, staff) that has resulted in John’s and his clients’ success. John’s practice is principally devoted to the areas of medical malpractice, transportation, product liability, commercial, and construction litigation.
Professional Honors & Activities
- Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
- Immediate Past-President (2014 – 2015)
- President (2013 – 2014)
- President-Elect (2012 – 2013)
- Treasurer (2011 – 2012)
- Director Emeritus (2010 – 2011)
- Board of Directors (2007 – 2010)
- Instructor, Trial Tactics Seminar (2008)
- Convention Chairman (2004)
- Chair, Trial Tactics Seminar (2002)
- Chair, Young Lawyers Division (2000 – 2002)
- Defense Research Institute
- Board of Directors, Mid-Atlantic Region Director (2016 – 2019)
- It Is All About Relationships – For the Defense, with Donald P. Moloney, II (May 2018)
- American Board of Trial Attorneys (ABOTA)
- State Representative (2016 – 2018)
- Virginia Chapter President (2015 – 2016)
- Federal Bar Association, Richmond Chapter
- Board of Directors (2009 – 2015)
- Lewis Powell Inn of Court
- Board of Directors (2011 – 2017)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA)
- Virginia Bar Association
- Richmond Delegate to the Young Lawyers Division (1997 – 2001)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly
- Leader in the Law (2015)
- “Go To Lawyer” for Medical Malpractice (2021)
- Best Lawyers in America (2013 – 2025)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- “Lawyer of the Year” – Richmond, VA (2022)
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- “Lawyer of the Year” – Richmond, VA (2014)
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Virginia Super Lawyers (2008, 2010 – 2024)
- Personal Injury – Products: Defense
- Rising Star – Civil Litigation (2008)
- Top 50 Lawyers in Richmond (2013 – 2023)
- Top 100 Lawyers in Virginia (2013 – 2023)
- 10th Year of Inclusion (2019)
- Virginia Business Legal Elite (2004, 2008 – 2023)
- Civil Litigation
- Construction Law
- Young Lawyer/Under 40
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated
- Richmond Bar Association
- Henrico County Bar Association
Representative Experience
- Successfully defended hospital in medical malpractice action wherein plaintiff alleged a failure to monitor causing severe personal injuries.
- Successfully defended national restaurant chain in negligence action wherein plaintiff alleged defectiveness in construction materials resulting in catastrophic injuries.
- Successfully defended U.S. tool manufacturer in product liability action wherein estate alleged defective testing and warnings resulted in death.
- Successfully defended highway construction company in negligence action wherein estate alleged defectiveness in design, warning and construction resulting in death.
- Successfully defended aerial lift manufacturer/supplier in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective components caused paraplegia.
- Successfully defended chemical manufacturer/supplier in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged volatile chemicals exploded causing blindness.
- Successfully defended crane manufacturer in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective design caused traumatic brain injury.
- Successfully represented client in product liability action wherein industrial equipment caused near leg amputation.
- Successfully defended lawnmower manufacturer/seller in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective guarding and warning resulted in leg amputation.
- Successfully defended auto manufacturer/seller in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective restraint system caused quadriplegia.
- Successfully defended crane/lifting equipment manufacturer in product liability action wherein plaintiffs alleged defective equipment caused paraplegia and severe leg injuries.
- Successfully defended industrial tool manufacturer/supplier in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective design/manufacture resulted in loss of sight and significant brain injury.
- Successfully defended battery manufacturer in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective design led to acid leak and significant burn injuries.
- Successfully defended HVAC manufacturer/installer in toxic torts claim wherein plaintiffs alleged defective equipment and installation caused the family to become seriously ill.
- Successfully represented insurance company in subrogation action and subsequent coverage action wherein defendant’s insured burned home and defendant subsequently denied coverage for the loss.
- Successfully represented Italian manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment in breach of contract action.
- Successfully represented technology company in action wherein plaintiff alleged certain EPA violations resulted in contaminated development site.
- Successfully defended restaurant in negligence action wherein plaintiff alleged defendant’s actions caused a fire resulting in a significant loss to retail shopping complex.
- Successfully defended lift manufacturer in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective design of lift truck owned by U.S. Navy caused leg amputation on U.S.S. Roosevelt.
- Successfully represented homeowner in fraud/breach of contract action against builder wherein defective foundation construction placed home in jeopardy of collapse.
- Successfully represented construction company in breach of contract action following remediation and rebuild of home due to fire loss.
- Successfully defended propane gas manufacturer/seller in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged explosion caused significant personal injuries.
- Successfully represented world-wide property developer in breach of contract action involving $100 million plus sale of condominium complex.
- Successfully defended developer in action brought by purchasers alleging defective construction and resulting damages.
- Successfully defended automobile seller/dealer in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective component parts caused significant personal injuries.
- Successfully defended farm equipment manufacturer/seller in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective equipment caused foot amputation.
- Successfully defended RV manufacturer in product liability action wherein plaintiff alleged defective design and construction resulted in significant injuries/damages.
The cases referenced above do not represent the lawyer’s entire record. Each case must be evaluated on its own facts. The outcome of a particular case cannot be based on past results.
Education
- Bowling Green State University, B.S., magna cum laude (1992)
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D. (1995)
Bar & Court Admissions
- Virginia State Bar
- United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia
- United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court